BIE delegation gets rock-star greeting from ecstatic Busan residents

Cheering from a massive crowd exploded the moment the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) delegation stepped out of Busan Station on Tuesday.

The Bureau International des Expositions delegation waves to about 5,500 Busan residents who showed up at Busan Station to greet the inspection team on Tuesday. [YONHAP]

BUSAN — Cheering from a massive crowd exploded the moment the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) delegation stepped out of Busan Station on Tuesday.

City residents were ecstatic about the possibility of winning the bid to host the World Expo 2030.

The Busan welcome wagon, estimated to be around 5,500 people from 12 foreign countries, some dressed in traditional attire of their home countries, filled the plaza in front of the KTX station.

Members of the BIE team captured the moment by taking pictures and filming the massive group via smartphone. The BIE members expressed surprise at the passionate welcome from Busan residents.

"Patrick Specht, president of the BIE's Administration and Budget Committee, repeatedly expressed delight and said it is only what Korea and Busan can do," a bidding committee official said.

"They said they were touched and felt like they were popstars."

A festive mood filled the air, with people singing and dancing while shouting "BIE!" as an acronym for "Busan in EXPO."

"Oppan Busan Style," sung to the music of "Gangnam Style," blasted out of speakers.

Banners with a phase of BIG as "Busan is Good" were hanging on the front of the building to promote the city's bid to host the World Expo 2030.

Escorted by Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon, the World Expo's BIE members were greeted with the performance of a samulnori, a traditional Korean percussion performance, while children wearing hanbok outfits, traditional Korean dress, delivered flowers to each member.

The BIE arrived in Busan Tuesday to start a four-day tour of the city, including an on-site inspection of the proposed venue at the north harbor and major tourist destinations.

Children on hanbok, or traditional Korean dress, deliver welcoming flowers to the BIE inspection team at Busan Station on Tuesday. [YONHAP]

Busan will also be holding two more presentations. The first presentation by the bidding committee and the Korean government was delivered Monday, the first official day of the BIE trip, in Seoul.

"I have been here with my husband and my dog for more than two hours to greet the delegation and show how passionate we are," Yoon Young-hye, a Busan resident in her 50s, said. "We hope the delegation will fully understand how beautiful city Busan is."

Moon Hee-chul, a taxi driver in his 70s, said Busan must win the expo.

"Expo is a shared goal of millions of Busan people," Moon said. "As one can see, thousands of people showed up voluntarily to do their best in promoting Busan."

"I have this good feeling that we can really make it this time."

Some 5,500 Busan citizens greet the BIE delegation in front of the Busan Station on April 4. [YONHAP]

Eulsukdo, a migratory bird park, was the delegation's first stop.

Busan hopes to promote its ecological efforts by showing the sanctuary for migratory birds.

Two big tundra swans, the mascot of the Saha District representing the sandy island, welcomed the delegation.

The delegation then passed the most famous beach in Korea, Haeundae, where 960 artists gave several performances, such as the talchum traditional mask dance.

The delegation was treated to dishes made with ingredients grown in Busan and nearby regions.

Busan plans to give its all during the entire four days. A total of 67 events and performances are planned for the delegation, including a big fireworks festival Thursday to signal the end of the trip.

The fireworks will launch from Gwagalli Beach.

The events for the delegation will continue until they step on the plane Friday at Gimhae International Airport.

The eight-member delegation, led by Patrick Specht, president of the BIE's Administration and Budget Committee, includes Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, secretary general of the BIE, Kevin Isaac, a representative of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Manuel Salchli, representing Switzerland, Ferdinand Nagy, representing Romania and three BIE staff members.

The delegation will complete a report on Busan's proposal in May and share the result with the 171 BIE member countries during the first biannual general assembly in June. The final decision will be made in November by a secret ballot.

The BIE delegation visited Saudi Arabia's Riyadh in March before arriving in Busan. Rome is the last city the team will visit, 10 days after leaving Busan.

Korea has hosted the smaller "recognized expos" twice — Daejeon Expo in 1993 and Yeosu Expo in 2012.

If Busan wins the bid to host the World Expo, it will be the seventh in the world to be a country that has hosted the three biggest global events, including the Olympic Games and World Cup.

BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]